Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Good Grace Decision-Making (Part 1)

April 14, 2026 | 27:29

Pathway to Victory provides practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through clear, Biblical teaching.

#WordofGod #Grace #Marriage #Alcohol #Guilt #Adultery #ServantofGod #Politics #Sacrifice #Offering #RobertJeffress

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Good Grace Decision-Making (Part 1) | April 14, 2026

Alaska is unlike any other place on earth,
00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:03.426
And this is your chance to witness god's masterpiece
00:00:03.426 --> 00:00:06.463
And america's priceless treasure june 13th through 20, 2026.
00:00:06.463 --> 00:00:11.401
You know i can hardly wait to show you alaska.
00:00:11.401 --> 00:00:14.571
I've been there before
00:00:14.571 --> 00:00:15.972
And every time i witnessed those massive glaciers
00:00:15.972 --> 00:00:19.042
And towering mountains, i'm reminded of
00:00:19.042 --> 00:00:21.644
How incredibly creative our god is.
00:00:21.644 --> 00:00:24.547
Picture this, waking up to snow capped peaks
00:00:24.547 --> 00:00:27.484
Outside your window.
00:00:27.484 --> 00:00:28.952
Then heading to your refreshing breakfast, knowing
00:00:28.952 --> 00:00:31.387
That all your meals are prepared for you.
00:00:31.387 --> 00:00:33.723
The world class service means that you can truly relax.
00:00:33.723 --> 00:00:37.093
We'll explore charming villages together, we'll stroll
00:00:37.093 --> 00:00:40.196
Alongside the still waters of the mountain stream.
00:00:40.196 --> 00:00:43.533
And yes, we'll see god's artistry at every turn.
00:00:43.533 --> 00:00:47.804
Reserve your spot on the 2026 pathway to victory cruise
00:00:47.804 --> 00:00:52.008
To alaska by calling 888-280-6747 or visit ptv.org.
00:00:52.008 --> 00:00:59.349
♪ music ♪
00:00:59.682 --> 00:01:04.921
From the pulpit of the first baptist church of dallas,
00:01:06.022 --> 00:01:08.725
Texas, this is "pathway to victory"
00:01:08.725 --> 00:01:11.161
With dr. robert jeffress.
00:01:11.161 --> 00:01:13.630
Hi, i'm robert jeffress
00:01:14.130 --> 00:01:15.431
And welcome again to "pathway to victory".
00:01:15.431 --> 00:01:17.901
As christians, we face countless decisions
00:01:17.901 --> 00:01:20.336
That the bible doesn't specifically address.
00:01:20.336 --> 00:01:23.239
These are what we call the gray areas of the christian life,
00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:26.743
And while some believers want to create rigid rules
00:01:26.743 --> 00:01:30.213
For everyone, others throw out all the boundaries
00:01:30.213 --> 00:01:33.650
In the name of freedom.
00:01:33.650 --> 00:01:35.251
So what's the right approach?
00:01:35.251 --> 00:01:37.387
Today i'm going to share some biblical principles
00:01:37.387 --> 00:01:40.223
For making wise decisions.
00:01:40.223 --> 00:01:42.792
My message is titled,
00:01:42.792 --> 00:01:44.227
Good grace decision making on today's edition
00:01:44.227 --> 00:01:48.198
Of "pathway to victory".
00:01:48.198 --> 00:01:50.733
♪ music ♪
00:01:50.733 --> 00:01:54.804
Some christians use grace as a spiritual get out
00:01:55.772 --> 00:01:58.808
Of jail free card.
00:01:58.808 --> 00:02:00.143
Others pile on so many rules, they have no grace
00:02:00.143 --> 00:02:03.112
For themselves or others.
00:02:03.112 --> 00:02:04.981
In "grace gone wild", dr. robert jeffress shows you
00:02:04.981 --> 00:02:08.451
What biblical grace actually looks like
00:02:08.451 --> 00:02:10.887
And how practicing it leads to true freedom and lasting joy.
00:02:10.887 --> 00:02:14.624
Discover how grace can transform your marriage,
00:02:14.624 --> 00:02:17.026
Your relationships, and your walk with god.
00:02:17.026 --> 00:02:19.629
Request "grace gone wild" when you give a generous ministry
00:02:19.629 --> 00:02:23.199
Gift to "pathway to victory".
00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:25.969
♪ music ♪
00:02:25.969 --> 00:02:31.507
Well, we are halfway through our series, "grace gone wild"
00:02:32.675 --> 00:02:36.579
And so it's time for a midterm exam.
00:02:36.579 --> 00:02:40.583
Those are going on in colleges right now.
00:02:40.583 --> 00:02:42.919
We're going to have a midterm exam. are you ready?
00:02:42.919 --> 00:02:45.488
It's actually quite simple, only five questions.
00:02:45.488 --> 00:02:49.125
True or false.
00:02:49.125 --> 00:02:50.893
You have a 50% chance
00:02:50.893 --> 00:02:52.095
Of getting these right, so here we go.
00:02:52.095 --> 00:02:54.831
Ready?
00:02:54.831 --> 00:02:56.366
Question number one.
00:02:56.366 --> 00:02:58.334
True or false, it's best for christians not
00:02:58.334 --> 00:03:02.505
To shop on sundays, true or false?
00:03:02.505 --> 00:03:06.242
Second question.
00:03:06.242 --> 00:03:08.111
Christian parents should discourage their children
00:03:08.111 --> 00:03:11.547
From celebrating halloween.
00:03:11.547 --> 00:03:14.384
True or false?
00:03:14.384 --> 00:03:16.019
Question number three, christian schools are preferable
00:03:17.086 --> 00:03:21.090
To public schools, true or false?
00:03:21.090 --> 00:03:25.795
Question number four,
00:03:25.795 --> 00:03:27.864
Christian hymns are usually more worshipful than
00:03:27.864 --> 00:03:31.868
Contemporary christian music, true or false?
00:03:31.868 --> 00:03:37.373
Question number five,
00:03:37.874 --> 00:03:39.676
Christians should abstain from any alcoholic beverage,
00:03:39.676 --> 00:03:44.947
True or false?
00:03:45.315 --> 00:03:47.283
What are the correct answer to those questions?
00:03:48.251 --> 00:03:51.454
Are there any correct answers to those questions?
00:03:51.454 --> 00:03:55.958
Now some of you i can tell are getting red in the face
00:03:55.958 --> 00:03:58.328
With indignation just by asking that question.
00:03:58.328 --> 00:04:01.097
Well, of course pastor, any student of the bible knows
00:04:01.097 --> 00:04:04.067
That blank is wrong
00:04:04.067 --> 00:04:06.135
Or any mature christian knows
00:04:06.135 --> 00:04:07.804
That blank is preferable to blank.
00:04:07.804 --> 00:04:09.806
Everybody knows that. really?
00:04:09.806 --> 00:04:12.008
If everybody knows that, why have there been
00:04:12.008 --> 00:04:13.910
So many divisions in the church
00:04:13.910 --> 00:04:15.578
That continue today over those questions?
00:04:15.578 --> 00:04:18.581
Divisions that have gone on for hundreds of years.
00:04:18.581 --> 00:04:22.752
What all of those questions have in common is this.
00:04:22.752 --> 00:04:26.556
They deal with what we call the gray areas
00:04:26.556 --> 00:04:29.692
Of christian living, issues about which the bible
00:04:29.692 --> 00:04:34.397
Issues no specific commands.
00:04:34.397 --> 00:04:39.135
Does grace give me a license
00:04:39.736 --> 00:04:41.337
To thumb my nose at those who decry
00:04:41.337 --> 00:04:44.273
Drinking, dancing and reading "harry potter" novels?
00:04:44.273 --> 00:04:49.579
What role does grace play in the decisions i make
00:04:50.580 --> 00:04:53.850
In my everyday life?
00:04:53.850 --> 00:04:55.985
In our series "grace gone wild", we've seen
00:04:56.886 --> 00:04:59.188
That there are really two perversions, equally dangerous
00:04:59.188 --> 00:05:02.558
Of the doctrine of grace, legalism and libertarianism.
00:05:02.558 --> 00:05:07.897
When it comes to the gray issues of the christian life,
00:05:09.031 --> 00:05:10.933
Legalism says there are no gray areas of the christian life.
00:05:10.933 --> 00:05:16.172
The bible addresses every topic
00:05:16.806 --> 00:05:19.142
That you just addressed and ask about.
00:05:19.142 --> 00:05:23.112
You can find a verse that tells you everything you ought
00:05:23.112 --> 00:05:26.282
To do about every area of life,
00:05:26.282 --> 00:05:28.184
And if you just study the bible hard enough
00:05:28.184 --> 00:05:30.586
Or you learn to read between the lines, you can know
00:05:30.586 --> 00:05:33.790
What the bible says and i'm going to tell you what it says.
00:05:33.790 --> 00:05:36.893
That's what the legalist says.
00:05:36.893 --> 00:05:38.694
And it's always interesting how the answer
00:05:38.694 --> 00:05:40.963
To those questions always just happens to coincide
00:05:40.963 --> 00:05:45.201
With the legalist's personal opinion.
00:05:45.201 --> 00:05:47.870
That's what legalism is. max lucado defines it this way.
00:05:47.870 --> 00:05:52.341
Legalism makes my opinion your burden.
00:05:52.341 --> 00:05:56.546
It makes my opinion your boundary.
00:05:56.546 --> 00:05:59.415
Legalism makes my opinion your obligation.
00:05:59.415 --> 00:06:04.020
I would change that a little bit.
00:06:04.754 --> 00:06:06.155
I would substitute the word conviction for opinion.
00:06:06.155 --> 00:06:08.791
A legalist actually has a deep seated conviction about each
00:06:08.791 --> 00:06:12.462
Of these issues,
00:06:12.462 --> 00:06:14.197
But he wants to make his conviction automatically
00:06:14.197 --> 00:06:18.367
Your conviction, your obligation, that's legalism.
00:06:18.367 --> 00:06:22.638
The other extreme in viewing these gray areas is
00:06:22.638 --> 00:06:26.209
What we call libertarianism.
00:06:26.209 --> 00:06:28.644
The libertarian says every issue is a gray issue.
00:06:28.644 --> 00:06:33.049
There are no one answer fits all decisions
00:06:33.049 --> 00:06:36.953
On any topic whatsoever.
00:06:36.953 --> 00:06:40.089
I remember talking to a man one time
00:06:40.089 --> 00:06:42.692
Who was considering leaving his wife.
00:06:42.692 --> 00:06:44.427
He said, i'm really praying about whether
00:06:44.427 --> 00:06:45.895
Or not i ought to get a divorce.
00:06:45.895 --> 00:06:47.330
I said, oh, is your wife guilty of adultery? well, no.
00:06:47.330 --> 00:06:50.700
Has she abandoned you?
00:06:50.700 --> 00:06:52.335
Well, no.
00:06:52.335 --> 00:06:53.503
Those are the only two reasons
00:06:53.503 --> 00:06:54.937
For a divorce in the bible.
00:06:54.937 --> 00:06:57.006
And but when i suggested that, i mean he was offended.
00:06:57.006 --> 00:07:01.377
What do you mean? that answer doesn't apply for me.
00:07:01.377 --> 00:07:04.580
I'm seeking god's personal direction in my life about an
00:07:04.580 --> 00:07:07.950
Issue that the bible's already spoken about.
00:07:07.950 --> 00:07:10.286
That's what you call libertarianism, the idea
00:07:10.286 --> 00:07:12.555
That there are no rules
00:07:12.555 --> 00:07:14.156
And the libertarian especially refuses to allow the opinions
00:07:14.156 --> 00:07:18.995
Of others have any impact on what he chooses to do.
00:07:18.995 --> 00:07:22.098
He'll say things like, i refuse to allow anybody
00:07:22.098 --> 00:07:25.601
To place me under the law.
00:07:25.601 --> 00:07:28.371
Or he'll say something like, i serve christ,
00:07:28.371 --> 00:07:31.874
I don't serve other people.
00:07:31.874 --> 00:07:33.843
Or he'll say, you know, i've grown in my faith to a position
00:07:33.843 --> 00:07:38.114
That i understand i have the freedom to do this.
00:07:38.114 --> 00:07:40.883
And maybe if you become more mature like i am, you'll have
00:07:40.883 --> 00:07:43.986
That freedom as well.
00:07:43.986 --> 00:07:45.888
That's libertarianism.
00:07:45.888 --> 00:07:47.857
Well, what standard should govern our conduct
00:07:48.824 --> 00:07:51.661
In the gray areas?
00:07:51.661 --> 00:07:52.828
You know, paul rejected the legalists.
00:07:52.828 --> 00:07:55.498
He had no use for manmade systems of conduct that applied
00:07:55.498 --> 00:07:58.935
To everybody, but he also rejected the feeling
00:07:58.935 --> 00:08:01.771
Of the libertarians that i'm free to do whatever i want
00:08:01.771 --> 00:08:04.774
To do regardless of how it affects other people.
00:08:04.774 --> 00:08:08.044
Then what is the standard?
00:08:08.044 --> 00:08:09.979
Well, he gives it to us in i corinthians chapter eight.
00:08:09.979 --> 00:08:13.416
If you have your bibles, i want you to turn
00:08:13.416 --> 00:08:15.184
To i corinthians chapter eight
00:08:15.184 --> 00:08:17.086
As we talk about good grace decision making.
00:08:17.086 --> 00:08:21.057
Today for a few minutes, we're going to take a trip back
00:08:21.057 --> 00:08:24.694
Through the time tunnel 2,000 years ago
00:08:24.694 --> 00:08:28.164
To the meat market in the city of corinth.
00:08:28.164 --> 00:08:32.501
You know, in the city of corinth,
00:08:32.501 --> 00:08:34.337
They had a raging debate in the church at corinth in the
00:08:34.337 --> 00:08:37.473
First church of corinth,
00:08:37.473 --> 00:08:39.709
And their debate was not about whether
00:08:39.709 --> 00:08:42.044
Or not to celebrate halloween.
00:08:42.044 --> 00:08:44.447
It wasn't about whether or not to have a a glass of wine
00:08:44.447 --> 00:08:48.584
Before your meal at night.
00:08:48.584 --> 00:08:50.252
The real question that was raging in corinth, the gray area,
00:08:50.252 --> 00:08:53.289
If you will, had to do with whether
00:08:53.289 --> 00:08:55.124
Or not to eat meat that had been offered to an idol before.
00:08:55.124 --> 00:09:00.363
Now a little background is important
00:09:01.130 --> 00:09:02.398
To understand why this was such an issue.
00:09:02.398 --> 00:09:04.800
In the pagan temple in corinth,
00:09:04.800 --> 00:09:07.303
Just like all pagan temples, there was a place
00:09:07.303 --> 00:09:09.739
That you could offer a sacrifice to appease the gods.
00:09:09.739 --> 00:09:14.377
Remember the romans and the greeks,
00:09:14.377 --> 00:09:16.145
They had gods for everything.
00:09:16.145 --> 00:09:17.780
There was a god of justice, a god of love, a god of war,
00:09:17.780 --> 00:09:20.983
And the way to keep these gods happy
00:09:20.983 --> 00:09:22.918
And to keep your own life happy was to appease them
00:09:22.918 --> 00:09:25.855
By offering them a meat sacrifice.
00:09:25.855 --> 00:09:28.891
It's kind of like leaving, you know, cookies
00:09:28.891 --> 00:09:30.760
And milk for santa claus.
00:09:30.760 --> 00:09:32.695
You would make these offerings to keep the gods happy.
00:09:32.695 --> 00:09:36.999
Now, when you would go to offer your meat offering,
00:09:36.999 --> 00:09:39.969
One third of the offering would be consumed on the fire.
00:09:39.969 --> 00:09:43.439
Another third the offerer could keep for himself
00:09:43.439 --> 00:09:47.843
And the final third would go to the priests.
00:09:47.843 --> 00:09:51.113
Now, day after day
00:09:51.113 --> 00:09:52.682
With all these people offering sacrifices, you can imagine
00:09:52.682 --> 00:09:54.717
That one third of meat that was offered to the priest,
00:09:54.717 --> 00:09:57.687
That was a lot of meat.
00:09:57.687 --> 00:09:58.821
No priest could eat it all himself,
00:09:58.821 --> 00:10:02.024
And so they established a meat market right there in the
00:10:02.024 --> 00:10:05.728
Pagan temple where you could purchase meat, anybody could
00:10:05.728 --> 00:10:09.699
That had been offered to an idol.
00:10:09.699 --> 00:10:12.301
And not only was it cholesterol free, it was demon free.
00:10:12.301 --> 00:10:15.705
It had been especially ridden of demons
00:10:15.705 --> 00:10:18.874
And that's why it was especially advantageous
00:10:18.874 --> 00:10:23.579
To eat meat that had been offered to an idol.
00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:25.715
Now, here was the question.
00:10:25.715 --> 00:10:27.450
The question was should christians buy any of that meat
00:10:27.450 --> 00:10:31.353
That had been offered to an idol
00:10:31.353 --> 00:10:33.055
Or if they were seated at a friend's house for dinner
00:10:33.055 --> 00:10:36.258
And the friend said, oh, we've got a, you know,
00:10:36.258 --> 00:10:38.994
A burger tonight, burgers on the house
00:10:38.994 --> 00:10:42.398
And we got it from the meat market there in the temple.
00:10:42.398 --> 00:10:46.569
Should you abstain or should you go ahead
00:10:46.569 --> 00:10:48.637
And eat that meat that had been offered to idols?
00:10:48.637 --> 00:10:51.340
Now the more mature christians
00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:52.842
In corinth said, there's nothing wrong
00:10:52.842 --> 00:10:54.276
With eating that meat.
00:10:54.276 --> 00:10:55.745
We all know there's no such thing as an idol.
00:10:55.745 --> 00:10:58.013
Why not eat it?
00:10:58.013 --> 00:10:59.682
But the newer christians who had come out
00:10:59.682 --> 00:11:02.151
Of idolatry, they said, oh no,
00:11:02.151 --> 00:11:06.088
We should not eat that meat.
00:11:06.088 --> 00:11:08.591
To them it would be a signal
00:11:08.591 --> 00:11:10.059
Of going back into their pagan lifestyle of idolatry
00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:13.662
And sacrificing to the idol.
00:11:13.662 --> 00:11:15.598
So it was that debate, should you eat meat
00:11:15.598 --> 00:11:19.235
That had been offered to an idol?
00:11:19.235 --> 00:11:22.004
Now today, obviously that's not a question.
00:11:22.905 --> 00:11:27.209
You don't go to albertsons
00:11:27.209 --> 00:11:28.644
And see a section that says meat offered to idols.
00:11:28.644 --> 00:11:31.847
That's not an issue.
00:11:31.847 --> 00:11:33.616
But we have equally contentious issues in the church today.
00:11:33.616 --> 00:11:37.753
Here are some of them.
00:11:37.753 --> 00:11:39.388
Is it permissible
00:11:39.388 --> 00:11:41.023
To worship on saturday evenings rather than sunday mornings?
00:11:41.023 --> 00:11:44.293
Many churches do that. is that permissible?
00:11:44.293 --> 00:11:47.563
Should christians practice birth control?
00:11:47.563 --> 00:11:50.966
Should those who have been divorced
00:11:50.966 --> 00:11:52.768
And remarried even for biblical reasons, be allowed
00:11:52.768 --> 00:11:56.272
To serve in leadership positions in the church?
00:11:56.272 --> 00:11:59.441
Is it permissible for a christian
00:11:59.441 --> 00:12:01.277
To consume alcoholic beverages in moderation?
00:12:01.277 --> 00:12:05.214
Should christians participate in easter egg hunts?
00:12:05.214 --> 00:12:09.351
For each of those questions, there's some of you
00:12:10.352 --> 00:12:12.421
Who are shouting, no.
00:12:12.421 --> 00:12:13.956
Under no circumstances should you do that.
00:12:13.956 --> 00:12:16.792
Some of you're saying yes, yes, yes,
00:12:16.792 --> 00:12:19.295
We've got the freedom to do that.
00:12:19.295 --> 00:12:21.664
What does paul say about it? he doesn't say yes or no.
00:12:21.664 --> 00:12:25.167
He says it depends. it depends.
00:12:25.167 --> 00:12:29.805
What does it depend upon?
00:12:29.805 --> 00:12:31.707
I'm so glad you ask
00:12:32.174 --> 00:12:33.742
Because the answer is found right here
00:12:33.742 --> 00:12:36.045
In i corinthians eight.
00:12:36.045 --> 00:12:37.446
There are three principles paul gives us
00:12:37.446 --> 00:12:39.949
For decision making about the gray areas
00:12:39.949 --> 00:12:43.252
Of the christian life.
00:12:43.252 --> 00:12:46.021
Three principles.
00:12:46.021 --> 00:12:47.456
Principle number one, write it down. good grace.
00:12:47.456 --> 00:12:50.292
A proper understanding of grace
00:12:50.292 --> 00:12:52.561
Elevates love above knowledge.
00:12:52.561 --> 00:12:57.466
Those who were pushing bad grace in the corinthian church
00:12:57.466 --> 00:13:00.502
Said that their doctrinal knowledge was the basis
00:13:00.502 --> 00:13:03.405
And the only basis for making a decision.
00:13:03.405 --> 00:13:06.609
And they said, we have the knowledge
00:13:06.609 --> 00:13:08.577
That there's no such thing as an idol.
00:13:08.577 --> 00:13:11.213
That's why we're free to do it.
00:13:11.213 --> 00:13:12.915
We know there's no such thing as an idol. case shut.
00:13:12.915 --> 00:13:16.986
No, it's not shut, paul says.
00:13:16.986 --> 00:13:19.655
You know, there are people today who say, well,
00:13:19.655 --> 00:13:21.357
We know from the bible that there's,
00:13:21.357 --> 00:13:24.660
We're not under the old testament law anymore, so we're free
00:13:24.660 --> 00:13:27.596
To break all those regulations.
00:13:27.596 --> 00:13:29.832
Somebody says, we know there's nothing inherently sinful
00:13:29.832 --> 00:13:32.868
About alcohol, therefore we are free to drink
00:13:32.868 --> 00:13:36.238
Without consideration of how it affects anybody else.
00:13:36.238 --> 00:13:40.209
In paul's day, they said,
00:13:40.209 --> 00:13:41.477
We know there's no such thing as an idol.
00:13:41.477 --> 00:13:43.679
Interestingly, paul affirmed that truth.
00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:46.048
In verse four of i corinthians eight.
00:13:46.048 --> 00:13:47.683
He said, therefore, concerning the eating
00:13:47.683 --> 00:13:49.752
Of things sacrificed to idols, we know
00:13:49.752 --> 00:13:52.354
That there's no such thing as an idol in the world
00:13:52.354 --> 00:13:55.524
And that there is no god but one.
00:13:55.524 --> 00:13:58.861
He said, we agree with you on that,
00:13:58.861 --> 00:14:00.796
But paul goes on to say, but knowledge
00:14:00.796 --> 00:14:03.098
What the bible says is not
00:14:03.098 --> 00:14:06.568
The only question to consider.
00:14:06.568 --> 00:14:09.905
What else could there be? it's how it affects other people.
00:14:09.905 --> 00:14:13.976
Look at i corinthians eight verses one to three, he says,
00:14:13.976 --> 00:14:17.546
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know
00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:20.149
That we all have knowledge, but knowledge makes arrogant.
00:14:20.149 --> 00:14:24.420
Literally it puffs up, but love edifies.
00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:28.891
If anyone supposes that he knows anything he is not
00:14:28.891 --> 00:14:31.794
Yet known as he ought to know.
00:14:31.794 --> 00:14:34.396
But if anyone loves god, he is known by love.
00:14:34.396 --> 00:14:40.336
The bible says, when we consider whether
00:14:41.203 --> 00:14:43.939
Or not to do something, it's not just
00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:45.774
What the bible says it is,
00:14:45.774 --> 00:14:48.410
How will this affect another person?
00:14:48.410 --> 00:14:52.047
You know, our church for 152 years has been known
00:14:52.047 --> 00:14:55.117
As a church that teaches the bible.
00:14:55.117 --> 00:14:58.620
We are a church built on the bible,
00:14:58.620 --> 00:15:01.590
And i think that's one reason,
00:15:01.590 --> 00:15:03.058
The main reason god is blessed first baptist
00:15:03.058 --> 00:15:05.494
Dallas like he has.
00:15:05.494 --> 00:15:07.096
So i want you to hear what i'm saying very clearly.
00:15:07.096 --> 00:15:09.631
We do need to ask the question,
00:15:09.631 --> 00:15:11.967
What does the bible say about any topic?
00:15:11.967 --> 00:15:15.070
But that's not the only consideration.
00:15:15.070 --> 00:15:18.640
In a church like ours,
00:15:18.640 --> 00:15:20.342
Sometimes we elevate knowledge over love.
00:15:20.342 --> 00:15:25.180
I mean, there are actually some christians who believe
00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:28.283
That when they stand before the judgment seat of christ,
00:15:28.283 --> 00:15:31.253
Jesus is going to hand them a blue book
00:15:31.253 --> 00:15:33.255
And ask them to do a diagram of the end times,
00:15:33.255 --> 00:15:36.191
Or he's going to ask them to list 10 reasons evidences
00:15:36.191 --> 00:15:40.262
For the virgin birth of christ,
00:15:40.262 --> 00:15:42.431
Or he is going to ask them to explain the difference
00:15:42.431 --> 00:15:44.366
Between calvinism and arminianism.
00:15:44.366 --> 00:15:46.702
They really think that's how jesus is going to judge us
00:15:46.702 --> 00:15:49.071
By the knowledge that we have.
00:15:49.071 --> 00:15:50.339
No, there's only one standard
00:15:50.339 --> 00:15:52.674
By which jesus is going to judge us,
00:15:52.674 --> 00:15:54.743
And that is how well do we mirror the actions, attitudes,
00:15:54.743 --> 00:15:58.380
And affections of jesus christ.
00:15:58.380 --> 00:16:01.583
See any biblical knowledge that doesn't lead you to love god
00:16:01.583 --> 00:16:05.587
And love other people more is worthless knowledge.
00:16:05.587 --> 00:16:09.224
And that's why one john four 10 is very clear about that.
00:16:09.224 --> 00:16:12.961
It says, if somebody says i love god
00:16:12.961 --> 00:16:15.697
And hates his brother, he is a liar for the one
00:16:15.697 --> 00:16:18.500
Who does not love his brother, whom he has seen,
00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:22.204
Cannot love god whom he has not seen.
00:16:22.204 --> 00:16:25.974
You have to love god with all of your heart, mind,
00:16:27.009 --> 00:16:29.211
Soul, and strength.
00:16:29.211 --> 00:16:30.245
And if you really do,
00:16:30.245 --> 00:16:31.780
You're going to love other people like you love yourself,
00:16:31.780 --> 00:16:34.616
And therefore you're not going to do anything
00:16:34.616 --> 00:16:37.886
That would harm another christian.
00:16:37.886 --> 00:16:39.855
That is what good grace does.
00:16:39.855 --> 00:16:42.124
It elevates love above knowledge.
00:16:42.124 --> 00:16:45.027
Just because i have the knowledge that i'm free
00:16:45.027 --> 00:16:48.030
To do this doesn't mean i necessarily should do it.
00:16:48.030 --> 00:16:51.733
And that leads to a second principle about decision making
00:16:51.733 --> 00:16:55.170
From this passage.
00:16:55.170 --> 00:16:56.405
Good grace elevates the welfare
00:16:56.405 --> 00:16:59.007
Of others over my freedom.
00:16:59.007 --> 00:17:02.811
Good grace elevates the welfare of others over my freedom.
00:17:03.946 --> 00:17:07.683
You see these new converts in corinth,
00:17:07.683 --> 00:17:09.952
They didn't possess the same understanding
00:17:09.952 --> 00:17:12.087
That the more mature christians did.
00:17:12.087 --> 00:17:13.989
They didn't know that there was only one god.
00:17:13.989 --> 00:17:17.593
Wait a minute, you're saying they could become christians
00:17:18.727 --> 00:17:22.297
And still believe that there were a multitude of gods?
00:17:22.297 --> 00:17:25.300
Oh yeah, yeah.
00:17:25.300 --> 00:17:27.402
You see, when they became christians,
00:17:27.402 --> 00:17:30.072
They were acknowledging that there is only one right god,
00:17:30.072 --> 00:17:34.810
But they had not yet come to the position
00:17:34.810 --> 00:17:37.045
That they understood there was only one real god.
00:17:37.045 --> 00:17:41.517
And so when they were eating meat that had been offered
00:17:41.517 --> 00:17:44.520
To an idol, it reminded them of their own pagan lifestyle,
00:17:44.520 --> 00:17:48.190
To them that was sending against the right god
00:17:48.190 --> 00:17:51.927
By offering something, eating something
00:17:51.927 --> 00:17:54.129
That had been offered to a pagan god.
00:17:54.129 --> 00:17:57.366
We need to understand that today.
00:17:57.366 --> 00:17:58.901
We get this idea
00:17:58.901 --> 00:18:00.169
That there are all these things you have
00:18:00.169 --> 00:18:01.470
To believe in order to become a christian.
00:18:01.470 --> 00:18:03.238
I've actually heard people say you can't be a christian
00:18:03.238 --> 00:18:06.175
And believe in evolution.
00:18:06.175 --> 00:18:08.343
You can't be a christian
00:18:08.343 --> 00:18:09.678
And deny the virgin birth of christ.
00:18:09.678 --> 00:18:12.114
You cannot be a christian
00:18:12.114 --> 00:18:13.649
And not embrace the inerrancy of the scripture.
00:18:13.649 --> 00:18:16.018
Of course you can.
00:18:16.018 --> 00:18:17.786
You can be an ignorant christian, an untaught christian,
00:18:17.786 --> 00:18:21.390
A disobedient christian.
00:18:21.390 --> 00:18:23.458
There's only one thing though you have
00:18:23.458 --> 00:18:25.127
To believe to be a christian.
00:18:25.127 --> 00:18:26.428
Act 1631, believe on the lord jesus christ
00:18:26.428 --> 00:18:30.032
And you shall be saved.
00:18:30.032 --> 00:18:32.201
That's the one thing you have to believe.
00:18:33.068 --> 00:18:35.704
And when you trust in christ as your salvation,
00:18:35.704 --> 00:18:38.407
If you've really done that,
00:18:38.407 --> 00:18:39.575
The holy spirit comes into your heart
00:18:39.575 --> 00:18:41.376
And he will lead you into truth in these other
00:18:41.376 --> 00:18:44.246
Areas as well.
00:18:44.246 --> 00:18:46.114
These were baby christians.
00:18:46.114 --> 00:18:48.650
They didn't know there was only one god.
00:18:48.650 --> 00:18:51.286
They believed there was only one right god
00:18:51.286 --> 00:18:53.822
And they were committing themselves to him.
00:18:53.822 --> 00:18:57.326
Look at verse seven of i corinthians eight.
00:18:57.326 --> 00:19:00.028
However, not all men have this knowledge
00:19:00.028 --> 00:19:02.164
That there's only one god,
00:19:02.164 --> 00:19:03.899
But some being accustomed to the idol until now eat food
00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:07.402
As if it were sacrificed to an idol
00:19:07.402 --> 00:19:09.538
And their conscience being weak is defiled.
00:19:09.538 --> 00:19:13.976
You see, when you exercise a freedom
00:19:13.976 --> 00:19:17.512
That you have, it could lead somebody else who doesn't have
00:19:17.512 --> 00:19:21.850
That freedom to have his conscience defiled.
00:19:21.850 --> 00:19:25.354
Now, what is a conscience?
00:19:25.354 --> 00:19:28.156
A conscience is an internal warning system
00:19:28.156 --> 00:19:31.693
That god places in each one of us to warn us of behavior
00:19:31.693 --> 00:19:35.464
That could be harmful to us.
00:19:35.464 --> 00:19:38.233
John macarthur describes it this way.
00:19:38.233 --> 00:19:40.302
He said, conscience is god's doorkeeper to keep us out
00:19:40.302 --> 00:19:45.073
Of the places where we could be hurt.
00:19:45.073 --> 00:19:47.676
As we mature, our conscience allows us to go more places
00:19:47.676 --> 00:19:51.780
And to do more things because we have better judgment.
00:19:51.780 --> 00:19:56.018
When our daughters, julia and dorothy, when they were four
00:19:57.185 --> 00:19:59.488
And five, they were constantly asking us if they could walk
00:19:59.488 --> 00:20:03.392
Down the street by themselves to a neighbor's house
00:20:03.392 --> 00:20:06.061
And we always said no.
00:20:06.061 --> 00:20:08.864
We knew they were too young to walk by themselves.
00:20:08.864 --> 00:20:11.833
Even in our neighborhood, they could be abducted,
00:20:11.833 --> 00:20:14.469
Something bad could befall them.
00:20:14.469 --> 00:20:17.406
We would not give them the freedom to do that.
00:20:17.406 --> 00:20:20.475
When my girls turned 16,
00:20:20.976 --> 00:20:23.378
They asked us if we could have a car, they could have a car.
00:20:23.378 --> 00:20:26.548
Now, we never would've given a car
00:20:26.548 --> 00:20:28.350
To our 5-year-old daughters,
00:20:28.350 --> 00:20:30.319
But we were willing to give it to our 16-year-old daughters
00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:33.322
Because they had the maturity
00:20:33.322 --> 00:20:34.856
And understanding to know where to go and where not to go.
00:20:34.856 --> 00:20:39.227
That's what a conscience does.
00:20:39.227 --> 00:20:40.796
Listen to me, when you first become a christian, god sets
00:20:40.796 --> 00:20:43.965
That internal warning system
00:20:43.965 --> 00:20:46.034
With an unusually high level of sensitivity.
00:20:46.034 --> 00:20:49.338
If you get close to anything that could lead you astray,
00:20:49.338 --> 00:20:53.608
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.
00:20:53.608 --> 00:20:56.211
That warning system goes off.
00:20:56.211 --> 00:20:57.846
The closer you get beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep,
00:20:57.846 --> 00:20:59.047
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep beep.
00:20:59.047 --> 00:21:01.049
Says, don't do it, don't do it.
00:21:01.683 --> 00:21:04.186
And yet, that new christian having
00:21:04.953 --> 00:21:08.824
That sensitive warning system,
00:21:08.824 --> 00:21:11.159
If he sees you doing something
00:21:11.793 --> 00:21:14.129
That he thinks is wrong, he may ignore
00:21:14.129 --> 00:21:17.532
That internal warning system
00:21:17.532 --> 00:21:19.267
And follow your behavior instead.
00:21:19.267 --> 00:21:21.870
And what happens, it ends up defiling his conscience.
00:21:21.870 --> 00:21:26.375
It does damage to that internal warning system,
00:21:26.375 --> 00:21:29.745
And if you ignore your conscience frequently enough,
00:21:29.745 --> 00:21:33.548
You do permanent damage to it where it no longer works,
00:21:33.548 --> 00:21:36.351
You can no longer hear that beep, beep beep.
00:21:36.351 --> 00:21:38.787
That's why in i timothy one paul said to timothy,
00:21:38.787 --> 00:21:41.957
Above all, keep faith
00:21:41.957 --> 00:21:43.592
And a clear conscience, which some have rejected
00:21:43.592 --> 00:21:47.796
And suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
00:21:47.796 --> 00:21:50.832
If you ignore your conscience too many times,
00:21:50.832 --> 00:21:53.201
You won't be able to feel it any longer,
00:21:53.201 --> 00:21:55.303
And that's why we need
00:21:55.303 --> 00:21:56.571
To be very careful about doing anything
00:21:56.571 --> 00:21:59.241
That hurts another christian.
00:21:59.241 --> 00:22:01.777
You say, what does all of this have to do
00:22:01.777 --> 00:22:03.412
With eating meat offered to idols?
00:22:03.412 --> 00:22:05.547
When these new christian converts in corinth were tempted
00:22:05.547 --> 00:22:09.618
To eat a meal, they were warned
00:22:09.618 --> 00:22:12.053
By their internal system, don't do that.
00:22:12.053 --> 00:22:15.123
But then some of them were falling into sin
00:22:15.123 --> 00:22:18.026
Because of the example of the so-called mature christians.
00:22:18.026 --> 00:22:21.763
I need to stop here
00:22:21.763 --> 00:22:22.764
And point out a misunderstanding
00:22:22.764 --> 00:22:24.633
That many people have about this passage.
00:22:24.633 --> 00:22:27.669
In every church there are legalists who misuse this passage.
00:22:27.669 --> 00:22:32.240
They don't like something you do,
00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.142
And so they say, you can't do that because that offends me
00:22:34.142 --> 00:22:38.647
And i'm the weaker brother
00:22:38.647 --> 00:22:40.682
And the bible says, you can't do something i object to.
00:22:40.682 --> 00:22:43.919
That's not what this passage is talking about.
00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:46.188
I remember my old professor, howard hendricks said,
00:22:46.188 --> 00:22:48.657
In every church there's a whole group
00:22:48.657 --> 00:22:50.192
Of professional weaker brothers.
00:22:50.192 --> 00:22:53.061
They love to try to impose their opinions on you
00:22:54.062 --> 00:22:58.700
By saying, if i object to
00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:00.335
What you're doing, you can't do it.
00:23:00.335 --> 00:23:02.070
No. that's not what this passage about.
00:23:02.070 --> 00:23:04.673
The weaker brother is not somebody who objects
00:23:04.673 --> 00:23:07.309
To your behavior.
00:23:07.309 --> 00:23:09.411
The weaker brother is somebody who follows your behavior,
00:23:09.411 --> 00:23:14.149
Who is led to do what you're doing
00:23:14.149 --> 00:23:16.351
And ends up defiling his own conscience.
00:23:16.351 --> 00:23:20.255
The bible says, good grace elevates love over knowledge,
00:23:21.389 --> 00:23:26.294
And not only that, it also elevates the wellbeing
00:23:27.295 --> 00:23:31.132
Of others over personal opinion.
00:23:31.132 --> 00:23:34.803
♪ music ♪
00:23:34.803 --> 00:23:38.707
When it comes to the gray areas of life,
00:23:39.574 --> 00:23:42.143
Good grace always considers how our choices affect others.
00:23:42.143 --> 00:23:47.115
That's the kind of wisdom that honors god.
00:23:47.115 --> 00:23:50.752
Well, i want to take a moment to thank our pathway partners
00:23:50.752 --> 00:23:53.989
And all who faithfully support "pathway to victory".
00:23:53.989 --> 00:23:57.192
Because of your generosity, we're able
00:23:57.192 --> 00:23:59.461
To broadcast biblical teaching every day on television,
00:23:59.461 --> 00:24:03.164
Radio, and through digital streaming,
00:24:03.164 --> 00:24:05.400
Reaching people all across america and around the world.
00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:09.404
The impact of this ministry continues to grow as more
00:24:09.404 --> 00:24:12.407
And more people discover the truth of god's word
00:24:12.407 --> 00:24:15.744
Through this program, and it's all made possible
00:24:15.744 --> 00:24:18.613
Because of friends like you who give so faithfully.
00:24:18.613 --> 00:24:22.350
Whether you're a pathway partner who gives monthly
00:24:22.350 --> 00:24:25.153
Or someone who gives an occasional gift, i want you to know
00:24:25.153 --> 00:24:28.790
That your support is making an eternal difference.
00:24:28.790 --> 00:24:32.460
Thank you so much for partnering with us in this mission
00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:35.597
To pierce the darkness with the light of god's word
00:24:35.597 --> 00:24:39.167
And please stay right there.
00:24:39.167 --> 00:24:40.468
I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
00:24:40.468 --> 00:24:42.671
In just a moment.
00:24:42.671 --> 00:24:44.306
The bible tells us we're saved by grace,
00:24:45.173 --> 00:24:48.443
But do you allow yourself to receive grace?
00:24:48.443 --> 00:24:51.446
Do you practice grace?
00:24:51.446 --> 00:24:52.981
Do you abuse god's grace?
00:24:52.981 --> 00:24:55.283
In "grace gone wild", dr. robert jeffress clears up
00:24:55.283 --> 00:24:58.320
The confusion and shows you how grace
00:24:58.320 --> 00:25:00.622
Leads to joy, not guilt.
00:25:00.622 --> 00:25:02.824
Christians fall into one
00:25:02.824 --> 00:25:04.225
Of two traps when it comes to grace.
00:25:04.225 --> 00:25:06.695
Some believe grace means there are no boundaries in living.
00:25:06.695 --> 00:25:10.498
Others pile on so many rules
00:25:10.498 --> 00:25:12.534
That christianity feels like a burden instead of a blessing.
00:25:12.534 --> 00:25:16.871
In my book, "grace gone wild", i'll show you
00:25:16.871 --> 00:25:18.640
That true grace leads to a deeper,
00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:22.210
More joy filled relationship with god.
00:25:22.210 --> 00:25:25.380
Discover how understanding grace can transform your
00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:28.483
Marriage, your relationships, and every decision you make.
00:25:28.483 --> 00:25:32.320
Request your copy
00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:33.688
Of "grace gone wild" when you give a generous gift
00:25:33.688 --> 00:25:36.358
To pathway to victory.
00:25:36.358 --> 00:25:38.126
And when your ministry gift is $75
00:25:38.126 --> 00:25:40.495
Or more, we'll also send you the "grace gone wild" teaching
00:25:40.495 --> 00:25:44.566
Series on both cd and dvd,
00:25:44.566 --> 00:25:47.369
Along with the application guide.
00:25:47.369 --> 00:25:49.571
There are too many christians today
00:25:49.571 --> 00:25:51.406
Who have taken this marvelous gift of grace
00:25:51.406 --> 00:25:54.509
And perverted it.
00:25:54.509 --> 00:25:56.845
They are robbing themselves of the joy
00:25:56.845 --> 00:25:59.014
That comes from obedience to god.
00:25:59.014 --> 00:26:02.250
Thank you for your generous support
00:26:02.250 --> 00:26:04.052
Of "pathway to victory".
00:26:04.052 --> 00:26:05.720
Your gift helps us bring bold,
00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:07.455
Biblical teaching around the world.
00:26:07.455 --> 00:26:09.357
Together we are piercing the darkness
00:26:09.357 --> 00:26:11.660
With the light of god's word.
00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:14.763
Maybe there's a freedom in your life
00:26:15.530 --> 00:26:17.599
That you've been defending,
00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:19.134
Something you know is technically
00:26:19.134 --> 00:26:21.102
Permissible but could be causing harm to someone else.
00:26:21.102 --> 00:26:25.006
Today's passage reminds us that good grace
00:26:25.006 --> 00:26:27.809
Elevates love above knowledge.
00:26:27.809 --> 00:26:31.112
And next time we're going to look at two more principles
00:26:31.112 --> 00:26:34.015
For making wise decisions, including why your freedom
00:26:34.015 --> 00:26:37.585
As a believer ends when it negatively impacts somebody else.
00:26:37.585 --> 00:26:42.824
Stay tuned for a preview
00:26:43.324 --> 00:26:44.893
Of what's coming up next in our series, "grace gone wild".
00:26:44.893 --> 00:26:48.430
The fact is what we do impacts other people.
00:26:49.364 --> 00:26:53.868
People we don't even know who are watching
00:26:53.868 --> 00:26:56.037
What we are doing.
00:26:56.037 --> 00:26:57.672
We are not an island unto ourselves,
00:26:58.440 --> 00:27:01.843
And that's why the bible says a proper understanding
00:27:01.843 --> 00:27:05.180
Of grace will always lead you to ask the question,
00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:10.118
Not only how does this affect me,
00:27:10.118 --> 00:27:13.254
But how does this behavior affect us?
00:27:14.089 --> 00:27:18.359
Set your dvr
00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:19.728
And join us next time for part two of the message.
00:27:19.728 --> 00:27:22.330
Good grace decision making, here on "pathway to victory".
00:27:22.330 --> 00:27:26.000
♪ music ♪
00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.000

Robert Jeffress - Good Grace Decision-Making (Part 1)

April 14, 2026 | 27:29

Closed captions

Share